At the core of every technical diver is a desire for enhanced exploration. Technical divers dive at depths well beyond the recreational limits of 40m/130ft. To address this growing interest for specialized training to explore beyond, PADI has totally revised and updated the PADI Tec Diver Program. It’s gone digital and picks up where recreational diving leaves off, allowing tec divers the ability to: 

Explore remote shipwrecks –  many in depths beyond the limits of recreational diving.
Engage elusive marine life – especially pelagic species and sharks that prefer to stay deeper.
Challenge themselves – with new skills, awareness and equipment configurations.
Push the boundaries – with increased limits to explore environments few have gone before.

Oh, the places your divers will go as PADI Tec Divers!

Why Did PADI Revise the Program?

Tec diving requires specific training and equipment to dive deeper than recreational limits. But, you don’t have to dive deep to utilize tec diving benefits. Divers can use technical diving equipment within the recreational diving depth range to extend dive time. This makes tec diver training popular even with divers who have no desire to dive deep.

PADI revised and updated this program to be in line with the latest tec diving techniques, theories and thinking. Now in the PADI eLearning system, the revised program adds a new level – Tec Basics – and opens options for diving with trimix when desirable and where available. Course credit links help students avoid unnecessary repetition as they move up and between the program’s courses.

What’s Changed?

There are three key changes and increased benefits:

New Tec Basics Diver Course – Focuses on equipment familiarity and basic tec diving techniques. This course is an optional level. The course can orient tec students to new equipment configurations, help when coming from other organizations into TecRec, and serve as a comprehensive “refresher”. It’s also a good choice for those who want to get into tec with a shorter initial time commitment. Divers who successfully complete Tec Basics may receive credit for much of their training in subsequent Tec Diver courses.
Tec 40, 45 and 50 Diver Courses – Now each have an integrated trimix option. Where available and as desired, students can use trimix in their training as they progress, and be qualified to use it within their certification limits.
eLearning – Students and instructors can access the revised program via PADI eLearning. All products have been updated for a consistent learning experience. Apart from a few items, like the Tec Diver Program Wetnotes and cylinder labels, everything is digital and linked to eLearning.

What are the Benefits of Teaching the Updated PADI Tec Diver program?

Teaching tec diving presents an opportunity to break free from the day-to-day norm of teaching recreational diving. The continuing education opportunities for a tec instructor are almost limitless.

Furthermore, tec courses are now easier than ever to access thanks to PADI eLearning, with streamlined student management. It’s easier to assign codes and get students started right away on eLearning. 

In addition, course content includes recommended routes, so divers learn how to use different equipment configurations which benefits Instructors by uncovering a student’s preferred equipment needs. 

How to Teach the Revised PADI Tec Diving Courses

 To start teaching the Tec Diver program:

Instructors must complete an update (webinar version available) to teach the new Tec Basics, Tec 40, Tec 45, and Tec 50 levels. This update is bundled with the purchase of the digital course materials. Contact your PADI Regional Office to get your bundle.
Existing PADI Instructors who are Tec Instructors from other agencies have a crossover opportunity. 

Featured image courtesy of Shearwater.

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Technical Diving, Tec, TecRec, WebinarsPADI Pros